Dipodium pulchellum facts for kids

Dipodium pulchellum is a unique type of orchid that grows mostly without leaves. You can find it in the north-east part of New South Wales and the south-east part of Queensland in Australia. This special orchid can grow up to forty pink flowers. These flowers often have darker spots or blotches on them. They bloom during both summer and winter. The flowers grow on tall stems, called flowering spikes, which can be up to 90 cm (40 in) long.

What it Looks Like

Dipodium pulchellum is a plant that lives for many years. It has special underground parts called tubers. For most of the year, you won't see this orchid above ground. It stays hidden and rests.

When it's time to bloom, between five and forty pink flowers appear. These flowers have clear, dark blotches. They grow on a flowering spike that can be 22–90 cm (9–40 in) tall. At the bottom of the spike, there are small, narrow leaves. These leaves are about 7–25 mm (0.3–1 in) long.

The flower parts are called sepals and petals. The sepals are about 13–15 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long and 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide. Both the sepals and petals are flat and straight. This is different from another orchid, Dipodium punctatum, which has cupped and curved flower parts. The special lip of the flower, called the labellum, is 12–14 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long. It is a dark reddish-pink color and has soft, purplish hairs.

This orchid is also a mycoheterotroph. This means it gets its food from special fungi in the soil. It does not make its own food using sunlight like most plants.

Naming the Orchid

The scientific name Dipodium pulchellum was officially given to this orchid in 1987. Two Australian plant experts, David Jones and Mark Clements, described it. They studied a plant found in the Tallebudgera Range in Queensland.

The name pulchellum comes from a Latin word. It means "pretty little." So, the orchid's name basically means "pretty little Dipodium."

Where it Lives

You can find this orchid growing in the wild in south-east Queensland. It also grows in north-east New South Wales. Some specific places where it has been seen include near Wardell, Grevillia, and Tia Falls.

How it Gets Pollinated

Like all orchids in the Dipodium group, this plant needs help to make seeds. It is pollinated by native bees and wasps. These insects visit the flowers and help carry pollen from one plant to another.

Growing This Orchid

It is very hard to grow Dipodium pulchellum outside of its natural home. This is because it needs a special connection with fungi in the soil to survive. Scientists and gardeners have not yet found a way to create this special relationship in a garden setting.